Page 1802 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 21 August 2007
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It is our contention that if we go down this path it will fundamentally undermine the existing leasehold system. The negative case is strong but the positive case has not really been made out in this place or anywhere else by anyone in government. I would have loved to have heard a coherent argument about the benefits of this change. What will be the benefits to the community if we go down this path? The minister said, “The development lobby does not want to go ahead. We are balancing it between the development lobby and everyone else.” That is a misunderstanding of the role of the development industry in this community and it affects everyone in Canberra.
This does not just affect big property owners; it affects all landowners and homebuyers. If we do not get this right it will affect homebuyers because all these things flow down. Any uncertainties, ambiguities or inefficiencies in the system will affect everybody. It is easy to stand in this chamber and say, “It is the development lobby and it would say that anyway, wouldn’t it? We are trying to balance the needs or the wants of the development lobby with the needs of the community.”
It is not that simple. We are all affected by this proposed change and we will all be affected if we get it wrong. This is not just about the development lobby; there is broader community interest and concern. Once people realise the effect of these changes I think there will be broader community concern. I am disappointed that the government will not support this amendment and, no doubt, subsequent amendments to be moved by opposition members on this issue, which is a real shame. We will have to watch this space to see how it turns out. We certainly have fundamental concerns, which is why we moved this amendment. It is particularly disappointing that the government will not be supporting it.
Question put:
That amendment No 1 be agreed to.
The Assembly voted—
|
Ayes 7 |
Noes 10 | ||
|
Mrs Burke |
Mr Smyth |
Mr Barr |
Mr Gentleman |
|
Mrs Dunne |
Mr Stefaniak |
Mr Berry |
Mr Hargreaves |
|
Mr Mulcahy |
Mr Corbell |
Ms MacDonald | |
|
Mr Pratt |
Dr Foskey |
Ms Porter | |
|
Mr Seselja |
Ms Gallagher |
Mr Stanhope | |
Question so resolved in the negative.
Amendment negatived.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Planning, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Minister for Industrial Relations) (9.02): I seek leave to move amendments Nos 2 to 5 circulated in my name together.
Leave granted.
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